HSMSE Boys' Soccer wins division to earn playoff spot

HSMSE Boys' Soccer Team / N. Diunte

The 2015 season was a tremendous success for the HSMSE boys’ soccer team. They played to a record of 11-2-1, and reached the postseason for the first time since 2012.

The Dragons won the Manhattan B II Division, and played into the second round of the PSAL playoffs. Coach Nicholas Diunte attributes the improvement to young players who were prepared for the competition.

“The younger players matured in a shorter amount of time,” Diunte said. “Having a year behind of playing together helped. We [also] had some freshmen who were ready to step right in.”

Throughout the entire season, the team focused on the concept that all players needed to have an impact on the game. With everyone working towards the same goal, success was easier to attain.

“[By] getting everyone to contribute, and getting everyone on the same page on what we wanted to do offensively and defensively, we got the most out of what we could do with that concept all season,” Diunte said. 

Looking forward to 2016, HSMSE will be without four seniors: goalkeeper Alexei Ohotin, defender Matthew Levine, forward Onyekachi Akalonu, and defender Nick Winokur. While the team will have to adjust to the loss of these players, their coach feels that they have the personnel to fill the void of the departing seniors.

“I think that there are younger players who are ready to step in and fill their roles,” Diunte said. “The players who are sophomores and juniors are going to be juniors and seniors; the hope is that they will improve and mature, and we see who walks in the door as freshmen.”

While all the success has certainly been welcomed, the team wants to stay on track with their goals. Although duplicating their playoff run may not be easy, Diunte has faith in his players.

“We would like to [do the] same or better than what we did,” Diunte said. “I think the kids are up to the challenge and they see what they have to do to be prepared.”

Why the HSMSE boys varsity soccer team fell short of the playoffs

HSMSE Boys' Soccer Team / Mateo Galeano

The High School for Math, Science, and Engineering boys’ varsity soccer team put up a great fight during the 2013 season, just missing the playoffs. Although the team faced many challenges, they had a successful season. A major hardship for the team was finding players to fill in for the seniors who graduated.

“We’ve lost a lot of spots like Raven [Roberson] and Harry [Cummins] and Jeremy [Hirschberg],” senior Kofi Kordie said.

Having to fill the positions of six starters, the team had to recover quickly for the season. The teams’ collaboration improved from last year, using more teamwork than in past years.

“I think as a team, they shared the ball a lot better,” said coach Nicholas Diunte.

 Replacing players was not the only struggle for the team, they were bit by the injury bug.

“We had a lot of difficulty replacing players that were injured throughout the season,” Diunte said.

Another challenge this season was having players at new positions. Many of the boys played in positions that they had never played before. Much of the defense was rearranged due to graduation. Kordie went from playing an offensive position to a defensive position. Sophomore, Alexei Ohotin, not having much previous experience in goal, pursued a new position as goalie.

"If the team needs me in goal because the loss of seniors, I’m happy to play that,” Ohotin said.

The team has also taken into consideration what is necessary to reach the playoffs next year. This season was a learning experience that will help strengthen the team for next years’ season.

“It’s better to lose trying than to lose giving up,” junior co-captain Steven Limeta said.

Written by: Asimina Hamakiotes & Harry Smith

The fan experience at HSMSE

The students at the High School for Math, Science, and Engineering who attend the varsity games are few in number, but still feel the need to go support the teams. These students want to see a good game and be involved in their teams' performance, all while having a fun time with their friends.

Students find the sporting events a very exciting experience. These fans add on to the popularity of games and attempt to persuade their friends to accompany them.

“Being a fan is exhilarating.” sophomore Omar Carrera said.

They expect to see an entertaining game that is full of hustle throughout the event. Our fans feel enthusiastic about the school teams, and attending helps them relieve stress.

“They help motivate their team like, ‘I gotta win this game for my school,’” Carrera said about fellow fans.

Both Carrera and fellow sophomore Matthew Chae have attempted to get more people to attend. The main reason for not attending is time; their friends say they don’t have the opportunity and don’t want angry parents. Basketball games start at 4:30 PM, and sometimes even later. Despite the late start, both Carrera and Chae find the experience rewarding, better than just going home and being bored.

“Usually people ask their friends, and they say, ‘No no no it’s kinda late,’” Chae said.

The presence of fans at games have a positive effect on player performance, and the players appreciate having them at the games. Most fans at the games are there supporting friends.

“I appreciate the effort they put into coming to the game,” sophomore boys soccer player Alexei Ohotin said.

The fans of the HSMSE are a small, yet dedicated bunch who enjoy the mostly unappreciated sporting events at our school. Games are made possible to attend for all people, even if time constraints are present during the school week. If the fan base is to grow, more students have to give it a try because current fans are really enjoying it.

HSMSE boys soccer pulls through

The Dragons / Thomas Henning

The HSMSE boys’ soccer team had a rough start for their 2012 season. In their struggle the team learned to grow, develop strong skills, and work as a team throughout the season. As a result of this, they were able to pull through and make it to the playoffs.

Being under .500 in their first six games was rough for the team. “The team wasn't taking losses well,” said team captain Harry Cummins. Players were taking their frustrations out on other teammates making teamwork a difficult task.

The team suffered a huge blow in their loss to Hunter after they blew a 2-0 lead. “It was hard to get back up,” Cummins said. He said the team played better after a speech from their coach. "[Coach] Diunte sat us down, and said that we are a team, we lose together and win together. I think we really took that talk to heart.”

The team made it to the playoffs, proving that the team could make it without their star players from last season, Julian Petrello and Kevin Chun. They showed they can work together and exemplify major teamwork. When asked about the growth of the team, senior Raven Roberson said, “It took some maturity time to get to that point."

Key players contributed to the team's ability to get to the playoffs. Cummins lead the team in scoring and Jeremy Wain Hirschberg was a force at goalie, making 69 saves throughout the season.

The team fell in the first round to the eventual  2012 champions, New Utrecht. Despite their loss, next season looks promising. "I see a lot of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. They are a lot better than me when I was that age," said Cummins.

Contributed by Dionys Gutierrez